Xabi Alonso Rocks Real Madrid with Bold Demands After Al-Hilal Draw
Xabi Alonso’s era as Real Madrid manager has begun with a shockwave. In the aftermath of the team’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal in the opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the new coach reportedly singled out three underperforming stars — Rodrygo Goes, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Eduardo Camavinga — and demanded their immediate dismissal from the squad.
According to sources close to the club, an irate Alonso met with president Florentino Pérez immediately after the match at Hard Rock Stadium, making it clear that certain standards had not been met. The Tolosa-born coach, who arrived at the Bernabéu following a successful stint with Bayer Leverkusen — where he led the team to an unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup double — is said to have been livid with the trio’s performances.
A Frustrating Debut
Real Madrid unveiled new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen in their Club World Cup opener, and while flashes of quality were evident, a disjointed attack and midfield left the side exposed.
Rodrygo, struggling for form with just one goal in 15 appearances this season, missed multiple clear-cut chances. Meanwhile, Tchouaméni’s errors in defensive midfield created vulnerabilities, and Camavinga failed to impose himself as usual, looking lost in a tactical setup still under construction.
After the match, Alonso refused to hold back. “We need total commitment. I will not accept performances that fall short of what this club demands. I’ve spoken with the president, and he knows where I stand,” he stated.
Pérez Seeks Balance Amid High Stakes
According to El Confidencial, Alonso pressed Pérez to remove the trio from the squad altogether — an unprecedented demand that underscores the new coach’s uncompromising approach. However, the veteran president acted with caution. Understanding the significance of the €150 million Club World Cup prize and wary of creating further unrest, Pérez opted for a compromise.
Rather than immediate dismissals, the president has backed Alonso’s concerns by limiting the roles of the three players for the rest of the tournament. The coach is expected to lean more heavily on rising talents such as Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham, and Vinícius Jr., reinforcing a shift towards a younger, hungrier core.
A Crucial Tournament for Alonso and Real Madrid
This Club World Cup is more than a piece of silverware — it’s a test of identity for a Real Madrid team seeking renewal after a trophyless 2024–25 campaign. The arrival of Alonso, contracted until 2028, has brought high expectations, with the coach looking to quickly embed his attacking, high-press philosophy within a squad dealing with injuries and transition.
While young prospects like Raúl Asencio and Gonzalo García have been promoted for the tournament, Madrid still grapples with depth issues caused by long-term absences for Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger. New recruits like Alexander-Arnold and Huijsen can only paper over the cracks for so long.
Controversy and Uncertain Times
The bold move by Alonso has divided fans and pundits. Supporters of the new coach commend him for setting firm standards early, while skeptics question whether publicly calling out senior players like Rodrygo, Tchouaméni, and Camavinga is a productive path forward.
With the team’s next match against Pachuca looming, all eyes are on Alonso and Pérez. The president’s calculated compromise shows that, for now, he is prepared to stand behind his manager — albeit with measured restraint.
At a club where second place is viewed as failure, the Club World Cup may prove pivotal. Will Xabi Alonso’s bold approach forge a new era of dominance at the Bernabéu, or will it ignite a crisis that threatens to consume the team? Only time will tell.
